Understanding a CARFAX Report

Navigating the complexities of the used car market requires understanding how to decipher a CARFAX report. These reports are invaluable tools that offer a detailed history of a vehicle's journey, from accidents to service records. In this article, we explain key terms and what they mean to you as a buyer, providing insights and tips to help you make informed decisions when purchasing a used car from Guaranteed Motor Cars.

Total Loss:

When damages surpass around 75% of a vehicle's pre-damage value or if it's stolen and not recovered, it's deemed a total loss. However, not all total loss vehicles necessarily result in branded titles like Salvage or Junk.

Accident Damage:

Events such as salvage auctions, fire damage, or police-reported accidents indicate previous damage, affecting the vehicle's history.

Buyback/Lemon:

A Manufacturer Buyback, or Lemon, occurs when a vehicle is repurchased by the manufacturer due to defects. Not all states issue buyback titles, and lemon law requirements vary.

Dispelling Misconceptions about Manufacturer Buybacks:

MYTH 1:

Every buyback comes with inherent flaws.

REALITY:

Manufacturer buybacks aren't always due to defects. They can also be initiated to ensure customer satisfaction or address minor issues, showing the manufacturer's commitment to quality.

MYTH 2:

Buying a buyback means inheriting someone else's troubles.

REALITY:

Manufacturers are legally obligated to rectify any issues before reselling a buyback vehicle. Each vehicle undergoes a meticulous inspection to ensure it meets high standards, providing buyers with peace of mind.

MYTH 3:

Selling a vehicle with a lemon law title is difficult.

REALITY:

A lemon law title can result in a lower initial price, but it can also offer benefits during resale or trade-in negotiations. Buyers appreciate the transparency and assurance that any past issues have been fully resolved.

Odometer Check:

CARFAX analyzes mileage data to detect rollbacks, rollovers, or inconsistencies, providing insight into a vehicle's mileage history.

  • Rollbacks:

    Deliberate odometer tampering aimed at concealing the actual mileage of a vehicle, often involving fraudulent or illegal practices.

  • Rollovers:

    Instances where the odometer resets to zero after reaching its maximum reading, typically due to mechanical or equipment limitations.

  • Inconsistencies:

    Conflicting mileage data that may arise from various factors, such as human error, hindering CARFAX's ability to determine potential rollbacks.

By analyzing these factors, CARFAX aims to offer an accurate report of a vehicle's mileage history, shedding light on any suspicious activity or inconsistencies.

Manufacturer Buy-back:

These vehicles are repurchased by the manufacturer and typically come with remaining factory warranties, dispelling myths about their defects and resale challenges.

Airbag Deployment:

Deployment signals usage, necessitating airbag replacement by a qualified technician after a crash.

Basic Warranty:

New vehicles come with varying duration and mileage coverage warranties from different manufacturers.

Structural Damage:

Any accident, minor or severe, can lead to structural damage, highlighting the importance of assessing a vehicle's structural integrity before purchase.